Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappé: A Strained Relationship

Kylian Mbappé, crowned French Player of the Year for the 2023-2024 season by France Football, has once again asserted his dominance in the footballing world, narrowly edging out William Saliba by just five points.

However, not everyone in the football fraternity was in agreement with this decision.

N’Golo Kanté, for instance, allocated his five points to Saliba, completely omitting Mbappé from his top three picks.

Interestingly, another notable dissenting voice came from Karim Benzema, the former Real Madrid captain and current Al-Ittihad player.

Benzema’s voting choices were strikingly unconventional. He placed Eduardo Camavinga, Bradley Barcola, and William Saliba as his top three selections, in that order.

This decision reflects the lingering tension in his relationship with Kylian Mbappé, which has been a subject of much speculation.

According to L’Équipe, Benzema harbors a “deep enmity” towards his former French national team teammate, resulting in an undeniably strained dynamic between the two.

The atmosphere between Benzema and Mbappé has been described as “electric,” with their interactions often shrouded in subtle friction.

While the specifics of their discord remain unclear, it is evident that their relationship has not recovered since their shared time in the French squad.

As Mbappé continues to shine on the field, earning accolades and breaking records, the shadow of his fractured relationships with certain teammates remains an intriguing subplot in his illustrious career.